Sad that York’s cosiest festive bar won’t be at the heart of the Christmas Market this year? Don’t be – it’s coming to a new, and much more exciting, location and we can’t wait. The team at Thor’s have announced that it will be setting up camp for the Christmas period at one of York’s […]

It’s that time of year again when many schools open their doors to welcome prospective parents to have a look around. Details of all the open events for state schools in York can be found here (primary schools) and here (secondary schools) – there are too many for us to list! As for the independent […]

Christmas is one of our favourite times to visit the Yorkshire coast, from windswept walks at Hunmanby at Fraisthorpe to bracing New Year swims (yes, really) and the fabulous lobster pot Christmas tree at Filey. This year there’s another reason to visit: Scarborough Lights, part of the new Scarborough Fair cultural festival. Here’s what you […]

Nothing gets the Christmas magic flowing quite like meeting Santa himself, and he’s going to be popping up all over York this festive season. Whether you’d like to meet him on a boat with City Cruises York, in the Christmas Village at Mother Shipton’s or in the woods at Northwood Trail, find out where to […]

Don’t let rain stop play! There are plenty of things to do in and around York when the weather turns northern, and these are some of the best things to do on rainy days in York with kids, whether you fancy visiting an attraction, losing yourselves in a movie or getting creative and making something […]

Now we’ve heard it all! You’re already able to meet Santa in a boat and on a steam train, but now you can meet him on a plane! This Christmas, Father Christmas is flying into the Yorkshire Air Museum with a host of festive fun for the whole family. Get your ticket to Santa Airlines […]

Despite the cooler weather and falling leaves, it’s the perfect time for some exciting family adventures in the North York Moors. After a busy start to the school year, we anticipated some reluctance for a weekend family walk, but our children (13, 11, and 8) were eager to hop in the car and escape to […]

‘Tis the season to pick pumpkins, seek out spooky events and huddle around the bonfire (not too close, mind). October is a brilliant time to visit York with kids, with a wide variety of activities going on, from pumpkin festivals to pumpkin picking and even the odd event NOT involving large root veg! Here’s our […]

Spooky season is upon us, and where better to immerse yourselves in the magic and mystery of the season than Europe’s most haunted city: York. The cobbled streets, quirky buildings and secret snickleways are the perfect atmospheric backdrop for ghostly family adventures. Stepped in 2,000 years of history, from Romans to Vikings and Victorians, there […]

York Christmas Market – also known as St Nicholas Fair – is set to return from 14th November to 22nd December 2024, with twinkling lights, the scent of mulled wine and lots of unique gift ideas. The famous alpine chalets will return to line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, creating a festive wonderland of local traders […]

Where can you go this October half term where you can get lost in a mysterious maze, watch a magic show, set off on a quest to find the Gruesome Ghosts of York, enjoy oodles of indoor and outdoor play AND pick and carve your own pumpkin? Piglets Adventure Farm, that’s where! The famous Piglets […]

Excellent festive news for those of you who love a spin around the rink at Christmas: Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland will return to York Designer Outlet for 2023 with 975 sq m of real ice to glide, slide and wobble around. Surrounded by illuminated trees, log cabins, the rink-side cafe and a viewing platform, it’s a […]

Exciting news for train fans of all ages! Flying Scotsman, the world’s most famous locomotive, will be displayed at the National Railway Museum this October half term (21st October to 5th November 2023) as part of its centenary celebrations. On static display on the historic turntable in the museum’s Great Hall, visitors will be able to see […]

Calling film fans of all ages: York’s very own film festival, Aesthetica Short Film Festival is back! This incredible, inspiring, world-renowned event returns from 8th to 12th November 2023 at venues across the city. There are over 400 films to choose from, from comedy to drama, animation, documentary and screenings that are ideal for children. […]

With more ghosts and ghouls per square foot than any other city in the world (possibly), where better to celebrate the spookiest season of the year than York? There’s are more Halloween events coming up around York this October half term than you could shake a broomstick at, from pumpkin trails to pumpkin carving, ghost […]

We don’t know who did the sums on the spectres, but York is famously brimming with spirits (and that’s not just the York Gin). This October half term, there are family activities a-plenty in the home of Halloween and you can find our top picks here. While you’re out and about on the Little Ghost […]

Autumn’s here and there’s something spooktacular going on in York: the return of Ghosts in the Gardens! The York BID is once again bringing some horribly good wire mesh sculptures to some of York’s most stunning green spaces and this year it’s bigger than ever. It’s well worth taking your children along to: it’s fun, […]

However well you think you know York, chances are that there are iconic buildings you’ve walked past thousands of times but have no idea what’s hiding behind the front door. If, like us, you’d relish the opportunity to have a little look around, we’ve got just the event for you: York Unlocked. Here’s what you […]

The summer holidays might be drawing to a close, but there’s plenty to look forward to. Whether we like it or not, Christmas will be here before we know it and there are more festive events for families going on in and around York than ever before. Our guide to Christmas in York is now […]

We’ve got some excellent eerie news for you if you’re looking for something fun – and free – to do in York during October half term: the Little York Ghost Hunt is back for 2023! It’s part of York Ghost Week, which runs from Monday 30th to Thursday 2nd November, 6pm to 8pm. Join the […]